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Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Road rage

Radio CommentaryIt seems that more and more drivers are acting out their anger when they get behind the wheel.

After they've been cut off, tailgated, or slowed down by a car in front of them, these angry drivers can even commit acts of violence.Teaching your children about road rage, and how to prevent it, is vital to their health and well-being.

One study of more than 10,000 incidents of aggressive driving revealed that at least 200 people were killed and another 12,600 people were injured because of driver anger.Remember that you are a role model for your children. Keep your anger in check, and model behavior for your teens that shows them how to be a safe driver.One good rule: Don't take actions that might offend other drivers. These might include cutting drivers off, driving slowly in the left lane, or tailgating. Avoid these actions at all costs.Also, don't engage. One angry driver can't start a fight unless another one is willing to join in. So take a deep breath and move on.

It also helps to “steer clear.” Give angry drivers lots of room and avoid eye contact. If an angry driver is following you or using a car as a weapon against you, call for help if possible.

Anger-management courses have helped many individuals gain insight and practical techniques to keep their tempers under control.When your children are riding in the car with you, remember that they will copy your behavior. Be a good role model for their sake as well as for your own.